Method to assemble a turn signal indicator module and turn signal indicator sub-module

• US 8,662,723 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2010
• Issued: 03/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Inventors: Schmierer, Arne
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Bao Q
• Application Number:
  US12/948,224
• Publication Number:
  US 20110122647A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,203 Days
• Field of Search: 362/494, 362/511, 362/540, 362602-605
• US Class Current: 362/494
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.

Abstract

The invention is related to a method for assembly a turn signal indicator module mounted into a rear view mirror comprising a housing. A LED, a light guide and a lens of the turn signal indicator module are mounted in steps as: Mounting the LED on a printed circuit board, fixing the printed circuit board at the light guide to define a strict relation between the LED and the light guide and mounting the light guide, the lens and the housing to form a turn signal indicator module.

Claims

1. Method for assembly a turn signal indicator module mounted into a rear view mirror comprising a housing, at least one LED and at least one light guide with an end face for coupling in the light of the LED and a lens that covers the turn signal indicator module wherein the following steps are realized:

mounting the at least one LED on a printed circuit board;

fixing the printed circuit board so that the LED is fixed in the optimal position in front of the end face at the light guide to define a strict relation between the at least one LED and the light guide using connection means with the light guide forming projections adapted to lead the light guide in the printed circuit board by leading means and fixing it, and

mounting the light guide with integrated lens and the printed circuit board to the housing to form a turn signal indicator module.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that

the light guide and the printed circuit board are connected by a clips mechanism, with the projections of the light guide forming hooks for a snap-fit connection to the circuit board.

3. Method according claim 1 characterized in that the light guide and the printed circuit board are connected by a clips mechanism.

4. Method according claim 1 characterized in that the light guide and the printed circuit board are connected by gluing.

5. Method according claim 1 characterized in that the light guide and the printed circuit board are connected by hot-riveting.

6. Method according claim 1 characterized in that the light guide and the printed circuit board are connected by welding.

7. Light guide sub module to be mounted into a rear view mirror comprising a housing, at least one LED and at least one light guide and a lens that covers the turn signal indicator module wherein the following steps are realized:

mounting the at least one LED on a printed circuit board;

fixing the printed circuit board at the light guide to define a strict relation between the at least one LED and the end face of the light guide using connection means;

mounting the light guide, the lens and the housing to form a turn signal indicator module, characterized in that the at least one LED and the end face of the light guide are connected by protrusive connection means; and

wherein the step of fixing the light guide to the printed circuit board includes the step of leading the light guide to a position for assembly using light guide projections adapted to lead the light guide by insertion of the light guide projections into leading means of the printed circuit board and snap fitting the light guide projections into the printed circuit board.

8. Light guide sub module according claim 7 characterized in that the projections of the light guide forms hooks for a snap-fit connection to the circuit board.

9. Light guide sub module according claim 7 characterized in that the light guide forms gluing faces to be glued to bumps of the printed circuit board.

10. Light guide sub module according claim 7 characterized in that the light guide forms welding faces to be welded to bumps of the printed circuit board.